League-leading Minnesota routs New York

NEWARK, N.J. – Even on a rare off night offensively, Maya Moore found ways to help her team win.

She had 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Lynx beat the New York Liberty 73-47 on Tuesday night.

“She was struggling offensively but found different ways to impact the game,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Deflections, hustle plays, she’s a winner and that’s what winners do.”

Moore, who was coming off a career-high 35 points in her previous game, was 4 for 11 from the field.

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“You always have to find ways to help your team,” she said. “Sometimes it’s scoring, but it’s always working hard.”

That was never more evident than in the fourth quarter; with her team up 20 points, Moore made a spectacular save of a loose ball, diving into press row. Lindsay Whalen, who led the Lynx with 18 points, converted the play into a layup on the other end.

“I don’t know that Maya knew we were up 20,” Reeve said. “She and everyone else on this team have a mindset that every possession matters.”

Minnesota (21-7) has the best record in the league.

New York (11-17) fell 1½ games behind Indiana for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty will host the Fever on Friday night.

“We laid an egg tonight, but at the same time we come up to a bunch of basketball games now where if you look at a piece of paper we can win every one,” New York coach Bill Laimbeer said.